Dr. Paula Alvarez
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
About Paula
Greetings! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of California, Illinois, and Missouri, and I have a doctorate in Organizational Psychology. I have worked in locked and outpatient mental health facilities for the last 30 years. I facilitated group treatment of domestic violence perpetrators in Spanish and English for eight years. I specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity issues, and self-esteem issues. My doctorate degree (EdD) In Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology was conferred on May 27, 2021.
I use a client-centered approach (Carl Rogers), and I know that the client is the expert. I tailor my therapy sessions to what the client wants. I used cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with those who like CBT interventions. I offer homework assignments and bibliotherapy for those clients who want those interventions. I also use Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
I invite you to contact me to see if I am a good fit to help and empower you on your journey to better living.
What Paula helps with
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- LGBT
- Parenting issues
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
Show 29 more areas
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family of origin issues
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
How Paula works
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Gottman Method
- Hypnotherapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
What clients say
- “I was jumping from one dr to another until I found Dr Alvarez's, now i am settled and satisfied with my progress she is very professional, resourceful and cooperative, thank you”
- “I’ve never had a therapist make me feel more understood than dr. Alvarez.”
- “She is the best! I freaking love her. So kind. So sweet. So caring. U won’t find anyone better.”
Show all 15 reviews
- “After meeting Dr. Alvarez I will only meet with her. I appreciate her more than she realizes.”
- “I have been very pleased with progress made with the guidance Dr. Alvarez has provided. She has provided great insight and allowed me to come to my own conclusion with thoughtful questions and honest feedback. I would like to continue working with Dr. Alvarez and would suggest her services to people walking through similar challenges as me. I also appreciate the amount of resources she provided for me that were specific to boundary work. A++ Thank you Dr. Alvarez!!”
- “Dr. Alvarez is an extremely thoughtful and well educated therapist. She provides unconditional support and materials that have been extremely beneficial in helping me navigate my life through difficult times. I highly recommend her to anyone that is trying to survive and thrive through hard circumstances. <br /> Gratefully,<br /> Jennifer”
- “What a wonderful human and therapist she is! I’m very grateful for her help :)”
- “Attentive and knowledgeable”
- “Has helped me stop suppressing trauma and act to move through it.”
- “Very kind, knowledgeable and friendly.”
- “She was great,”
- “Dr. Alvarez is an outstanding therapist. She is caring and compassionate, and inspires me to look at myself and learn more about who I want to be. She inspires me!”
- “She’s amazing.”
- “Paula is, I think, remarkable.<br /> I am exceptionally fortunate to have found her. I can now look forward to recovery and living a better quality of life. Long overdue.<br /> Period.”
- “Dr. Alvarez has been understanding, supportive and provided some very helpful resources in our first meeting. I look forward to continuing therapy sessions”
These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.
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